"Bibi"
Netanyahu
Q:
Is it permissible to refer to the Prime Minister by the nickname "Bibi",
or does this infringe upon the honor of the ruling authority?
A:
It is certainly forbidden. It is an infringement. One should refer to him as the "Prime Minister," or "Prime Minister
Netanyahu," or "Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu" (Baba Metzia
58b. Tosafot on Megilah 27b. Al Diglo pp. 43-44(.
Tzitzit during a
Ball Game
Q: Is it
permissible to remove one's Talit Katan during a ball game when there is a fear
that they will rip?
A: No. Tuck them inside your pants (And this is also
the ruling in Shut Az Nedberu 2:55).
Measurements
of Ha-Rav Chaim Na'eh and the Chazon Ish
Q:
How do we rule in the dispute between Ha-Rav Chaim Na'eh and the Chazon Ish
regarding halakhic measurements (for example, the size of a
"kezayit")? Who is greater?
A:
It makes no difference. Ha-Rav Yosef
Shalom Elyashiv was asked: how could Ha-Rav Na'eh argue with the Chazon Ish? He
answered that the measurements of Ha-Rav Na'eh were practiced earlier and it
was the Chazon Ish who argued against them.
The book Yashiv Moshe p. 130 (see Noda Ba-Shiurim p. 271).
Avraham, Yitzchak
and Yaakov
Q: Should one
refrain from naming his children: Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov and Moshe as is
mentioned in the last testament of Rabbi Yehudah Ha-Chasid (Azharot Nosafot
#2)?
A: Some
authorities hold that this testament is only for his children. Nonetheless, the custom in this case is to
permit it (and this is also the ruling in Shut Minchat Yitzchak 9:137).
Pre-Torah
Writings
Q: Ancient
writings, which precede the Torah, had been found with stories and laws similar
to the Tanach. If so, is the Tanach
copied from them?
A: The existence
of these is known. 1. There were
prophets which preceded the giving of the Torah. 2. There are certain ideas which are relevant
to the universal human spirit. 3. The
Master of the Universe included proper and Kosher ideas within the Tanach. Sefer Eder Ha-Yakar of Maran Ha-Rav Kook.
E-mail on Shabbat
Q: Can I read an
e-mail after Shabbat that was sent on Shabbat?
A: After the
fact, it is permissible to benefit from it.
Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 318:1.
Buying before
Birth
Q: Is there a
problem with buying clothing and furniture for a baby before the birth, or is
there a problem of the evil eye?
A: There are some
who refrain from doing so, but there is absolutely no halachic
prohibition. On the contrary, it is a
sign of trust in Hashem (Ner Ne-Ishon Laila p. 123. Unlike what Ha-Rav Chaim Kanievski said: The
world is particular [not to do so] because of the evil eye. She'eilat Rav vol. 2 p. 58).
Forgot
to Count Sefirat Ha-Omer
Q:
If someone forgot to count Sefirat Ha-Omer for an entire day and is extremely
sad and embarrassed, can he continue to count with a blessing?
A:
No. There is an opinion which permits
it, but it is a lone view. Shaarim
Metzuyanim Ba-Halachah (120:7).
